HIP HOP 50: PHOTOS FROM AN EXTENDED BORN DAY
It's been a whirlwind of events around NYC these past few weeks. Here are a few images
On July 21 at Radio City Music Hall, DJ CASSIDY hosted a live Pass the Mic show with 47 NYC area hip hop acts. It was an epic night. Before the shoe Cassidy expressed his gratitute to all the acts. (Left to right) Break dance pioneer Crazy Legs, social media executive/hiphop stylist O’NEAL McKNIGHT, MC SERCH, CASSIDY and Loud Records president STEVE RIFKIND.
Backstage at Radio City with EPMD’s PARRISH SMITH.
Radio City before the Pass the Mic show.
Today, August 11 hip hop’s born day, there was celebration at the still underconstruction Universal Hip Hop Museum. Founder ROCKY BUCANO addressed the crowd, which was filled with rap luminaries. On the outer wall of the museum are the famous words of THE NOTORIOUS BIG. The museum is expected to be ready for visitors in 2025.
The event at the UHHM was a site of reunions of folks behind the scenes and stars. (Left to Right) Long time rap fixture Nicole Duncan, Public Enemy executive producer (and much more) “Mr.” Bill Stephney and Public Enemy’s Flava Flav, who met back when he was best known as Rico Dayton.
Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Milk D of “Top Billin’” fame.
Milk D and pioneering hip hop designer April Walker.
Interviewing BIG DADDY KANE on the stage of Radio City Music Hall at Pass the Mic.
With an old friend - Whodini’s DJ GRANDMASTER D.
Public Enemy’s CHUCK D was in the house at UHHM.
Holding a copy of Chuck D’s new publication, Rap Central Station, which contains several of my early hip hop reports, along with pieces by my late mentor ROBERT ‘ROCKY’ FORD. Chuck also just launched an app about the culture: www.BringTheNoiseApp.com.
Last Friday GRANDMASTER FLASH hosted a party in the Bronx’s Catona Park, where I purchased this tee-shirt. The QUIK MIX THEORY is how Flash developed his trademark mixing style, which is one of the essential DJ techniques.
I have so many thoughts and memories from this 50th anniverary period, which I’ll try to gather together for a new post soon.
The Nelson George Mixtape Volume 2:HIP HOP is coming in a week. For pre-orders and more info you can go to www.pacificpacific.pub.
I was on PBS News Hour talking #hiphop50 today.